Выбрать главу

Cultivating to his next level was very much like that. First, he had to draw in more chi. Moving allowed him to tap into the chi of the world more easily, though Wu Ying had to admit his ability to retain the energy that he absorbed still left a lot to be desired. He might only hold three parts in a hundred. Which was better than many of his contemporaries in the village, but was far from the one-in-ten that the true prodigies were rumored to be able to achieve.

In either case, right now, he was attempting to draw more chi into his dantian. At the same time, he could send what little chi he had through his body, diverting a slightly larger than normal amount to the currently clogged sixth meridian, the kidney meridian. In time, Wu Ying knew he would gain enough chi that he could force the issue and break through. Or he might be like Fa Hui and suddenly realize that his next meridian had cleared.

That was the thing about cultivating in the Body Cleansing stage. So much of it was the slow, gradual cleansing of the body and meridians that sudden jumps in levels were possible. As the process was more of a case of cleansing the body instead of reaching a significant new threshold, it was not unheard of—though uncommon—for individuals to progress in multiple levels.

The tolling of the mid-day bell woke Wu Ying from his cultivation, drawing him back to full awareness of his body. He drew a deep breath, sending his chi back into his dantian and slowly letting it subside. As he stood, he noted the low ache in his knees, hips, and arms from holding the horse stance for so long. All around him, he saw others slowly shaking themselves out. A few nobles were standing up from seated positions. Surprisingly enough, Senior Chi Sing dismissed them to go for lunch without a further word.

“We can sit?” Wu Ying muttered as he eyed the seated nobles, many of whom had even found mats for their bottoms.

“They can.” Tou He inclined his head again. “Their sponsors came and gave them permission.”

“Sponsors?”

“The Elders who allowed them in.”

“Of course. I understand now,” Wu Ying said as the pair walked toward the dining halls. Wu Ying then realized something and frowned, looking at Tou He. “How were you able to see all that? Weren’t you cultivating?”

“Two minds,” Tou He said, holding up his fingers. “It’s a technique they taught us at the temple. Though my Master says he wished he never taught that to me. Perhaps I would not have gotten into as much trouble.”

“Sounds like an amazing technique,” Wu Ying said.

“At my level of insight of the technique, it’s only marginally useful. It lets me fully perceive the outside world while cultivating,” Tou He said with a shrug. “It’s similar to what you do when you cultivate while moving.”

“Really? You think I could learn it?” Wu Ying said, perking up. He immediately froze, realizing how gross a breach in etiquette he had made. Asking someone to teach their techniques was just not done.

Tou He nodded. “Of course. Just find me sometime and we’ll try.”

“Really?” Wu Ying said, wide-eyed.

“Of course. I am no Taoist to discard knowledge or Legalist to think it should be restricted,” Tou He said with a sniff. “If you ask, I will teach.”

“Thank you!” Wu Ying said, dumbfounded and grateful.

Together, the pair moved off, chatting about what they had learned and their afternoon tasks, leaving behind the five sect members who had been late to begin another workout. Unlike inner sect members, all outer sect members had tasks they had to do each day. It was only in the morning that they had time to cultivate and train. Still, considering the abundant food and the coaching they received, Wu Ying was grateful. He would be more grateful if he didn’t have to carry so many damn bags of groceries though.

After chuckling to himself, Wu Ying found himself explaining his thoughts to Tou He, his first new friend in the sect.

Chapter 7

“Still ascending the mountain?” Yin Xue mocked Wu Ying at the paifang that lead into the sect.

Beside them, Lu Xi Qi, the gatekeeper, watched while drawing on his pipe.

“Yes,” Wu Ying said with a grunt. He shifted slightly, the bag that weighed him down digging into his shoulders. Two months since they had started proper training and he had managed to increase the weight he carried to ten bags. He could have carried more, but there were physical limits to how many he could carry without the bags falling as they became too awkward.

“A perfect role for a peasant,” Yin Xue said.

“Oh? And what are you doing?” Wu Ying said with a frown.

“I am working the library,” Yin Xue said.

At his words, Wu Ying started slightly. Of course. He had been so caught up in his own cultivation that he had forgotten the sect had numerous facilities outside of the kitchen and his quarters.

“Forget it. A peasant like you would never be able to gather enough contribution points to read anything worthwhile.”

Wu Ying frowned. “Contribution points?”

“Har. Peasant,” Yin Xue said, shaking his head as he walked off.

Wu Ying frowned, staring at the lord’s son and wondering how it was the pair of them had grown so antagonistic. They were from the same county. Should they not, at least, be acquaintances?

But life was never that simple. Envy. Pride. Regret. It all got in the way of human interaction. And so, the pair stood, opposing each other. Yet seeing Yin Xue made Wu Ying realize that he had forgotten his reason for being there. In the routine of his everyday life, the comfort of good food and clear orders, he had lost sight of his original objective. Inner sect member. Not to while away his days working on his cultivation at a leisurely pace.

“Thank you,” Wu Ying found himself muttering to the retreating back of his nemesis.

“You are more and more interesting every day,” Xi Qi commented. When Wu Ying looked at him, the gatekeeper chuckled and pointed with his pipe. “Best deliver your goods.”

“I will. But, Elder, may I ask a few questions?”

“Ask away. Not as if I’m going anywhere.”

“Then, if Elder will tell me, how do I get contribution points?” Wu Ying said.

“By contributing to the sect of course.” When Xi Qi saw the discontented expression on Wu Ying’s face, he cackled. “It’s the usual. Money. Spiritual herbs. Rare manuscripts. Service.”

“Thank you, Elder,” Wu Ying said, bowing to Xi Qi. Or as much as he could, considering the weight he carried.

It looked as though he needed to find some other way to serve the sect. Carrying the produce of the sect—while important—likely would not result in much of a contribution.

Over the next few hours, Wu Ying turned over ideas of what he could contribute to the sect. Truth was, he knew little about how the sect actually worked. That was just another advantage the nobles had over the peasant-born. They had knowledge of the sect, its inner workings and politics, that he didn’t. He would consider it unfair, but in the end, he didn’t have the energy to do so. It was just the way the world was. A man’s only choice when he learned of the great inequality of the world was to decide if he would break under that knowledge or go on.

“Elder Huang,” Wu Ying said as the day came to a close.

Elder Huang was once again out the back of the kitchen, overlooking the produce that had come in that day. “Wu Ying, is something on your mind?”

“I was wondering about my contribution points. Do I get any?” Wu Ying said after working up his courage.

“Two months. Not the slowest I’ve ever seen, but close,” Elder Huang said.

“You were expecting me to ask before this?” Wu Ying said.

“So easily distracted,” Elder Huang chided, making Wu Ying wince. “But yes, it should have been your first question to me in the first week.”

“And…?”